Bonn Climate Change Conference

The Bonn Climate Change Conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) convened from 16 - 26 May, 2016 in Bonn, Germany. 

The Conference encompassed the 44th sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI-44) and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA-44), and the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA-1). Preparatory meetings for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and the Group of 77 and China on 12-13 May, 2016 and 14-15 May, 2016 consecutively.
 

SBSTA-44

The key focus of SBSTA-44 was to:

• continue its work on the methodological issues under the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Nairobi Work Programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change (NWP)
• initiate work on matters mandated by the Paris Agreement including the on the technology framework and modalities for Article 6 of the Agreement (which relates to cooperative approaches and the framework for non-market approaches).

SBI-44

 SBI-44 focused on: 

• continuing  its regular work on implementation, including on mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol, capacity building, gender, and national adaptation plans (NAPs) 
  
• initiating work on matters mandated by the Paris Agreement including the development of modalities and procedures for a public registry for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and for adaptation communications.

APA-1 

The main intent of APA-1 was:

•  adopting a programme of work as mandated by the Paris Agreement
• coming to conclusions to further work on guidance for mitigation
• determining guidance for NDCs including information to facilitate their clarity, transparency and understanding and accounting for NDCs as well as further guidance for adaptation communications and for the transparency framework;
• discussing matters relating to the global stocktake; including potential modalities as well as  modalities and procedures for compliance; and preparation for the entry into force of the Paris Agreement.

Ministry of Planning and Development's Information Expo to commemorate World Environment Day 2016 - June 2 and 3, 2016!!!!!!!

ALL ARE WELCOMED!

Share with your networks and friends. See you there!

United Way day of recycling this Sunday 22nd May 2016!

First National Interagency Workshop for the Norway ODA Mercury Storage and Disposal Project

The First National Interagency Workshop for the Mercury Storage and Disposal Project in the Caribbean was held on Wednesday 18th, May 2016 at the Ministry of Planning and Development’s Conference Room on Level 26, Tower D, International Waterfront Complex, Port of Spain.

The Project which is funded through the Norway Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), aims to enhance capacities, promote the environmentally sound storage and disposal of surplus mercury, and support the ratification and early implementation in three (3) selected countries in the Caribbean: Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

 In attendance were members of the National Working Group which is a multi-sectoral body comprised of representatives from ministries, government agencies, the oil and gas sector, dental association, civil society and academia. Ms. Keima Gardiner represented the Ministry of Planning and Development at the Workshop.

Participants at the First National Interagency Workshop for the Mercury Storage and Disposal Project in the Caribbean was held on Wednesday 18th, May 2016

This Workshop was designed to facilitate coordination of the various project activities which include:

• an inventory of mercury waste streams, 
• survey and analysis of possible temporary storage locations, 
• review of the regulatory framework, 
• assessment of basic management options, and 
• the development of a national storage and waste management action plan

The presentations delivered throughout the session focused on these project activities, along with guidance on potential local generators for use in supplying data to the inventory. The session closed with the country representatives’ presentation on the documented sources of mercury in Trinidad and Tobago and a revision of the country work plan based on the input of participants. This project is carded for completion by December 2016.

Green Screen Community Outreach Sessions

The GEF Small Grants Programme in collaboration with Sustain TT will be launching a Green Screen- Community Outreach Programme over the months of May and June 2016 to communities through Trinidad. See the flyer below for more information on the dates, locations and times:

Green Screen Community Outreach Sessions: 

• Saturday 14^th May- NCPD, San Fernando--4-8:30 pm 
•  Saturday 21^st May- San Antonio Green Market--4-8:30 pm 
•  Saturday 28^th May- Fondes Amandes Community Reforestation Project--4-8:30 pm 
•  Saturday 11^th June- Success Laventille Secondary School--3-6 pm 
•  Saturday 18^th June- UWI Learning Resource Centre--5-8:30 pm

At these sessions the Sustain TT film ‘A Better Place’ will be screened. ‘A Better Place’ highlights the great work of 5 GEF SGP grantees and their communities. GEF SGP will also be doing an interactive session on the programme (funding opportunities and application process) and potential project ideas that can be funded. Community members will have the opportunity to interact directly with us and some of GEF SGP's National Steering Committee members.

Feel free to circulate through your networks and attend! The sessions are free and open to the public.

The first session is Saturday 14^th May at the National Centre For Persons with Disabilities, San Fernando from 4-8:30pm. See the flyer below and the agenda for Saturday’s session below:

To learn more about the film visit: http://abetterplacefilm.com

For more information on the GEF Small Grants Programme visit: https://sgp.undp.org or https://web.facebook.com/GEFSGPTT